Quickly slideable and incrementally adjustable barrier

ABSTRACT

A barrier for the inside of a home. The barrier includes two partitions that slide relative to each other to increase and decrease a distance between ends of the barrier. The partitions slide into and out of confronting relationships with each other. The partitions engage each other at upper and lower locations and further at a medial location where an elongate member of one partition is received in a tube engaged to the other partition. A threaded piece upon being turned brings pressure to bear upon an end of the tube such that the partitions can be incrementally expanded apart and thereby pressurized between two locations within the home so as to block off one portion of the home. The threaded piece is slideable along the elongate member.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/610,776 filed Sep. 11, 2012 (U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,349 issued Oct. 22,2013) and claims the benefit thereof under 35 U.S.C. §120, whichapplication was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/554,882 filed Sep. 5, 2009 (U.S. Pat. No. 8,261,490 issued Sep. 11,2012) and claimed the benefit thereof under 35 U.S.C. §120, whichapplication was a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/191,383 filed Sep. 6, 2008 and claimed the benefit thereof under35 U.S.C. 119(e), all of which applications are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties into this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a barrier for the inside of ahome, more particularly to a barrier having two partitions slideablerelative to each other, and more specifically where such two partitionscan be incrementally pressurized between two locations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A gate or barrier for cordoning off an area of a house may include amechanism for lengthening the gate, where length is defined as, forinstance, the horizontal distance between the vertical jambs of adoorway. Such a mechanism may be meant to work quickly at the expense ofworking securely. For example, the mechanism may have a set of notches,each of which when engaged by a peg or pawl like device sets the lengthof the barrier at a certain predefined distance. This is problematicbecause some doorways are more narrow than other doorways. Therefore,utilization of one notch may engage the gate or barrier too loosely in acertain doorway, while utilization of the next notch in line mayincrease the effective length of the gate or barrier such that the gateor barrier is too long and may not fit in such a doorway at all. Or, ifforced to fit in the doorway, the gate or barrier may bend and break orthe mechanism may break. Moreover, gates or barriers for homes,especially those adjustable in length, are intended for engagement notonly in doorways, but in many locations inside of the home, of whichthere are too numerous for these mechanisms having notches atpredetermined positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A feature of the present invention is the provision in a slidingexpanding incrementally adjustable barrier having two partition framessliding parallel to each other in two parallel planes spaced apart fromeach other, of an upper guide between the two partition frames and of alower guide between the two partition frames to maintain the twopartition frames in said two planes and parallel to each other.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a slidingexpanding incrementally adjustable barrier having two partition framessliding parallel to each other in two parallel planes spaced apart fromeach other, of a threaded rod engaged to one of the partition frames, ofa tube engaged to the other partition frame and the threaded rod beingreceived in the tube, and of a piece having a threaded opening and beingturnable on the threaded rod such that the piece can incrementally bringpressure to bear upon an end of the tube and thereby incrementally drawthe partitions apart and incrementally expand an effective length of thebarrier to pressurize the barrier between two locations such as betweentwo jambs of a doorway.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a slidingexpanding incrementally adjustable barrier having two partition framessliding parallel to each other in two parallel planes spaced apart fromeach other, of the piece having the threaded opening being a slide nutsuch that the slide nut can be axially slid to a desired positionquickly and then tightened at such desired position.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a slidingexpanding incrementally adjustable barrier having two partition framessliding parallel to each other in two parallel planes spaced apart fromeach other, of the piece with the threaded opening having first andsecond jaws hinged together where the jaws include first opposing endsand second opposing ends, where the first opposing ends form thethreaded opening and are normally biased together, where the secondopposing ends are normally biased apart, where the piece is quicklyslideable in an axial direction on the threaded rod without engaging thethreads on the rod when the second opposing ends are pinched toward eachother to draw the first opposing ends apart, and where the firstopposing ends and the piece as a whole are incrementally turnable uponthe threaded rods when the second opposing ends are released.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a slidingexpanding incrementally adjustable barrier having two partition framessliding parallel to each other in two parallel planes spaced apart fromeach other, of the barrier including first and second lower guides,where one of the guides extends from one of the partition frames to theother partition frame, and where the other of the guides extends fromthe other partition frame to the first mentioned partition frame.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a slidingexpanding incrementally adjustable barrier having two partition framessliding parallel to each other in two parallel planes spaced apart fromeach other, of the barrier including first and second upper guides,where one of the guides extends from one of the partition frames to theother partition frame, and where the other of the guides extends fromthe other partition frame to the first mentioned partition frame.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a slidingexpanding incrementally adjustable barrier having two partition framessliding parallel to each other in two parallel planes spaced apart fromeach other, of the guides being cradles.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a slidingexpanding incrementally adjustable barrier having two partitions slidingparallel to each other in two parallel planes spaced apart from eachother, of the first and second partition frames including respectivefirst and second faces, of the barrier including a fully closedconfiguration where the faces at least partially confront each other inthe width direction, and of the barrier including a fully openedconfiguration where the faces are wholly offset from each other in thewidth direction.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a slidingexpanding incrementally adjustable barrier having two partition framessliding parallel to each other in two parallel planes spaced apart fromeach other, of the barrier including a fully closed configuration wherethe outer end member of the first partition frame confronts the innerend member of the second partition frame, and of the barrier including afully opened position where the inner end member of the first partitionframe confronts the inner end member of the second partition frame.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a slidingexpanding incrementally adjustable barrier having two partition framessliding parallel to each other in two parallel planes spaced apart fromeach other, of the barrier including a fully closed configuration wherethe end members are sequentially staggered in the following lengthdirection: the outer end member of the first partition frame, then theinner end member of the second partition frame, then the inner endmember of the first partition frame, then the outer end member of thesecond partition frame.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a slidingexpanding incrementally adjustable barrier having two partition framessliding parallel to each other in two parallel planes spaced apart fromeach other, of the barrier including a fully opened configuration wherethe end members are sequentially staggered in the following lengthdirection: the outer end member of the first partition frame, then theinner end member of the first partition frame, then the inner end memberof the second partition frame, and then the outer end member of thesecond partition frame.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a slidingexpanding incrementally adjustable barrier having two partition framessliding parallel to each other in two parallel planes spaced apart fromeach other, of the piece having the threaded opening being a slide nutsuch that the slide nut can be axially slid to a desired positionquickly and then tightened at such desired position, where the slide nutincludes a threaded through opening and a release bore, and where therelease bore includes a frustoconical opening at each of its ends.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a slidingexpanding incrementally adjustable barrier having two partition framessliding parallel to each other in two parallel planes spaced apart fromeach other, of an elongate member extending from a first partitionframe, of a tube extending from a second partition frame and receivingtherein the elongate member, and of a slide slideable on the elongatemember, where the slide includes a first portion fixable at one of anumber of predefined spaced apart positions on the elongate member andwhere the slide includes a second threaded portion that incrementallybrings pressure to bear against an end of the tube of the secondpartition such that the partitions are incrementally and slideablyforced apart.

An advantage of the present invention is that it fits in relativelylarge doorways and relatively small doorways and, regardless of the sizeof the doorway, can be incrementally pressure fit to the large or smalldoorway. In other words, the present barrier is expandable from arelatively small length to a relatively great length and, regardless ofhow much the barrier has been expanded, the barrier can be incrementallyexpanded so as to become pressure fit securely between the two locationsto which the barrier is engaged.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it is simple to use.There is but one mechanism to operate to expand the barrier in someembodiments and but two mechanisms to operate in other embodiments.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it may be operatedquickly. One feature contributing to this advantage is the slide nut.Instead of turning a conventional nut along the entire length of thethreaded rod, the slide nut can be quickly slid axially along the rod tothe desired position and then tightened at the desired position. Anotherfeature contributing to this advantage is the jawed piece thatincrementally expands the two partitions relative to each other. Thejawed piece, when pinched open, can easily and quickly slide axially onthe threaded rod. When pinched open, the jawed piece does not engage thethreads of the threaded rod and thus can travel at will back and forthon the threaded rod. When closed, and the jawed piece is normally biasedclosed, the jawed piece is turnable on the threaded rod, brings pressureto bear on the end of the tube receiving the threaded rod and therebyexpands the partitions relative to each other. Another featurecontributing to this advantage is the slide that can quickly be handpushed to the desired location, whereupon a lift/drop button of theslide fixes the slide in place, whereupon a threaded member of the slideincrementally expands the partitions to a pressure fit against opposingmembers such as door jambs.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the present barrieris inexpensive to manufacture. For example, there are no complicatedmechanisms to produce. Also, the manufacturing process for the firstpartition frame can be used for the second partition frame because theframes are identical to each other.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the present barriercan be expanded to about twice its shelf or fully closed size. In otherwords, the barrier can be sold in a box that takes up a minimum of shelfspace and then, when taken out of the box, can be utilized at such arelatively small size or can be expanded to about twice its length to beutilized at such a relatively large size or can be utilized at any sizetherebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view of the present sliding expanding incrementallyadjustable and incrementally pressurizable barrier showing the barrierengaged between two door jambs and slightly spaced from the floor andshowing two partitions of the barrier overlapping each other.

FIG. 1B is a detail side view of a portion of the barrier of FIG. 1A,and shows a first mechanism for incrementally adjusting the length ofthe barrier and for incrementally pressurizing the barrier between twolocations such as two door jambs, where the first mechanism includes aslide nut.

FIG. 2A is a top isolated view of the upper member of the firstpartition and the upper member of the second partition of the barrier ofFIG. 1A and shows the two partitions being slideable relative to eachother.

FIG. 2B is a section at lines 2B-2B of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a side view of a second mechanism for incrementally adjustingthe length of the barrier and for incrementally pressurizing the barrierbetween two locations such as two door jambs, where the second mechanismincludes a jawed nut, and shows the jaws of the jawed nut engaging athreaded rod.

FIG. 2D is a side view of the second mechanism of FIG. 2C and shows thejaws of the jawed nut disengaged with the threaded rod such that thejawed nut can slide quickly in the axial direction along the threadedrod.

FIG. 2E is a perspective view of a wing nut, where the wing nut is aone-piece block nut, for a third mechanism for incrementally adjustingand incrementally pressurizing the barrier.

FIG. 3A is a side, partially phantom view of a nut having a relativelylarge knob, where the nut is a one-piece block nut, and which is afourth mechanism for incrementally adjusting and incrementallypressurizing the barrier.

FIG. 3B is a side, partially phantom view of a slide nut having arelatively large knob, where the nut is a one-piece block nut, and whichis a fifth mechanism for incrementally adjusting and incrementallypressurizing the barrier.

FIG. 3C is a slightly perspective view of the slide nut of FIG. 3B,where the releasing bore of the slide nut has an axis that is normal tothe plane of the drawing of FIG. 3C and where the threaded bore of theslide nut has an axis that is normal to the general plane of the face ofthe slide nut.

FIG. 3D is an end view of the slide nut of FIG. 3B, where the releasingbore of the slide nut has an axis that is oblique to the plane of thedrawing of FIG. 3D and where the threaded bore of the slide nut has anaxis that is normal to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 3D.

FIG. 3E is a perspective view of the slide nut of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 3F is a perspective detail view of the slide nut of FIG. 3B on anarticle such as a barrier of the present invention and shows that thearticle preferably includes a flat or flat surface to engage an end ofthe slide nut of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the barrier ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective, exploded view of one of the partitions of thebarrier of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is a detail, side, partially phantom view of the slide nut ofFIG. 3B.

FIG. 6A is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the barrier of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6B is a top view of the embodiment of the barrier of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a perspective, detail view of an incrementally adjustableslide of the embodiment of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a side, detail view of the incrementally adjustable slide ofFIG. 6B prior to being slid from a first predefined position to a secondpredefined position.

FIG. 7B is a side, detail view of the incrementally adjustable slide ofFIG. 7A after being slid from a first predefined position to a secondpredefined position and prior to the incrementally adjustable slidehaving been operated.

FIG. 7C is a side, detail view of the incrementally adjustable slide ofFIG. 7B in the second predefined position and in the process of beingtightened so as to expand the barrier portions to an incrementallyexpanded position.

FIG. 8A is a detail, sectional view of the incrementally adjustableslide of FIG. 6B.

FIG. 8B is a detail view along lines 8B-8B of FIG. 8A showing how theincrementally adjustable slide engages the predefined positions.

FIG. 8C is a detail, section view showing how barrier portions orpartitions engage each other.

FIG. 8D is a detail, section view showing how barrier portions orpartitions engage each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the present quickly slideable and incrementallyadjustable barrier is indicated by reference numeral 10. The barrier 10generally includes a first partition 12, a second partition 14, anadjusting and pressurizing mechanism 16, guides 18 running to andbetween the first and second partitions 12, 14, and bumpers 20 on anouter end of each of the partitions 12, 14.

First partition 12 includes an upper member 22, a lower member 24, anouter end member 26, and an inner end member 28. Members 22, 24, 26 and28 are preferably steel and tubular. Members 22, 24 run parallel to eachother and preferably run horizontally when the barrier 10 is in use.Members 26, 28 run parallel to each other and preferably run verticallywhen the barrier 10 is in use. Members 22, 24 are preferably disposed atright angles to members 26, 28, and the junctions of such members 22,24, 26, 28 are welded. End members 24, 26 run to and between upper andlower members 22, 24. Upper member 22 extends slightly beyond a junctionof upper member 22 and outer end member 26 such that upper member 22includes an upper and outer protruding end 30 that is capped by plasticcap. Lower member 24 extends slightly beyond a junction of lower member24 and outer end member 26 such that lower member 24 includes a lowerand outer protruding end 32 that is capped by a plastic cap. Uppermember 22 extends slightly beyond a junction of upper member 22 andinner end member 28, as shown in FIG. 2A, such that upper member 22includes an upper and inner protruding end 34 that is capped by aplastic cap. Lower member 24 extends slightly beyond a junction of lowermember 24 and inner end member 28 such that lower member 24 includes alower and inner protruding end that is capped by a plastic cap. Theextent of the protrusion of such lower and inner protruding end beyondthe junction of lower member 24 and inner end member 28 is indicated bythe guide 18 that extends from such protruding end.

Second partition 14 includes an upper member 36, a lower member 38, anouter end member 40, and an inner end member 42. Members 36, 38, 40 and42 are preferably steel and tubular. Members 36 and 38 run parallel toeach other and preferably run horizontally when the barrier 10 is inuse. Members 40 and 42 run parallel to each other and preferably runvertically when the barrier 10 is in use. Members 36 and 38 arepreferably disposed at right angles to members 40 and 42 and thejunctions of such members 36, 38, 40, 42 are welded. End members 40, 42run to and between upper and lower members 36, 38. Upper member 36extends slightly beyond a junction of upper member 36 and outer endmember 40 such that upper member 36 includes an upper and outerprotruding end 44 that is capped by plastic cap. Lower member 38 extendsslightly beyond a junction of lower member 38 and outer end member 40such that lower member 38 includes a lower and outer protruding end 46that is capped by a plastic cap. Upper member 36 extends slightly beyonda junction of upper member 36 and inner end member 42, as shown in FIG.1A, such that upper member 36 includes an upper and inner protruding end48 that is capped by a plastic cap. Lower member 38 extends slightlybeyond a junction of lower member 38 and inner end member 42 such thatlower member 38 includes a lower and inner protruding end 50 that iscapped by a plastic cap.

A direction between the outer and inner end members of the respectivepartitions 12, 14 is a length direction. A direction between the upperand lower members of the respective partitions 12, 14 is a heightdirection. A direction between the partitions 12, 14 is a widthdirection and the partitions 12, 14 are spaced apart in the widthdirection. The upper and lower members of the partitions 12, 14 extendin the length direction. The outer and inner end members of thepartitions 12, 14 extend in the height direction.

Each of the first and second partitions 12, 14 includes a relativelyrigid screen or network 52, 54, respectively. Each of the rigid screens52, 54 includes a plurality of diamond-shaped openings 56, where eachdiamond-shaped opening 56 is about two inches in length from point topoint and about one inch in height from point to point. The rigidity ofthe screens 52, 54 is relatively high such that the screens 52, 54 mayalso be referred to as punched-plate screens such that the screens 52,54 have the rigidity of a flat plate from which diamond-shaped openingshave been punched. Diamond-shaped openings 52, 54 are preferablysufficiently large to permit fingers to extend therethrough.Diamond-shaped openings 52, 54 are preferably sufficiently small toprevent hands, such as the hands of a child, from extendingtherethrough. Screen 52 is welded to members 22, 24, 26 and 28. Screen54 is welded to members 36, 38, 40 and 42.

Guides 18 extend to and between the first and second partitions 12, 14.As shown in FIG. 2B, guide 18 is fixed by a pin connector 58, such as arivet, that extends completely through one of the upper or lowermembers, with the upper member 22 and its upper and inner protruding end34 being shown in FIG. 2B. Guide 18 is formed in the shape of two cradleportions 60, 62. Cradle portion 60 is affixed to upper member 22 via thepin connector 58. Cradle portion 62 engages the upper member 36 of thesecond partition 14 and permits the upper member 36 to slide therein.

For clarity, each of the guides 18 is given a unique respectivereference number 64, 66, 68, 70. Upper guides 64, 66 engage the uppermembers 22, 36. Lower guides 68, 70 engage the lower members 24, 38. Asindicated in FIG. 2A, upper member 22 of the first partition 12 isaffixed to upper guide 64 and upper member 36 of the second partition 14slides in upper guide 64, while upper member 22 of the first partition12 slides in upper guide 66 and upper member 36 of the second partition14 is affixed to upper guide 66. Lower guides 68 and 70 are likewiseemployed. That is, lower member 24 of the first partition 12 is affixedto lower guide 68 and lower member 38 of the second partition 14 slidesin lower guide 68, while lower member 24 of the first partition 12slides in lower guide 70 and lower member 38 of the second partition 14is affixed to lower guide 70. It should be noted that upper guide 64 isaligned vertically with lower guide 68 and that upper guide 66 isaligned vertically with lower guide 70. Each of the guides 64, 66, 68and 70 include the cradle portions 60, 62.

Guides 64, 66, 68 and 70 space the first and second partitions 12 and 14apart from each other. Via the guides 64, 66, 68 and 70, the frames ofthe partitions 12 and 14 are mounted in spaced apart parallel planes andslide in such parallel planes.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the adjusting and pressurizing mechanism 16includes a medial tube or receiver 72, a threaded rod 74 running intothe tube 72, a winged slide nut 76, a washer 78, and spacer 80. Medialtube 72 is engaged, such as by welding, to the outer and inner endmembers 40, 42 of the second partition 14 at an equidistance from upperand lower members 36, 38 of second partition 14. Medial tube 72 extendsin the length direction. Medial tube 72 is offset from the plane inwhich second partition 14 lies. Medial tube 72 is spaced from the rigidscreen 54 of the second partition 14. Medial tube 72 includes a proximalend 82 that is open and a distal end 84 that is capped such as with aplastic cap. Threaded rod 74 includes a proximal end 86 that is fixed toouter end member 26 of the first partition 12 by a pin connector 88 thatextends through spacer 80. Spacer 80, by supporting the proximal end 86,spaces the proximal end 86 from the outer end member 26 and the firstpartition 12 to keep the threaded rod 74 coaxial with the medial tube72. Spacer 80, threaded rod 74, and medial tube 72 work with guides 64,66, 68, and 70 to maintain the first and second partitions 12, 14 intheir respective spaced apart parallel planes. Winged slide nut 76threadingly, at certain times, and slidingly, at other times, engagesthreaded rod 72 and brings pressure to bear upon fixed end 82 of fixedmedial tube 72, via washer 78 on the threaded rod 72, to incrementallyslide the outer end member 40 of the second partition 14 away from andin the opposite direction of the outer end member 26 of the firstpartition 12. This incremental sliding brings, on an incremental basis,pressure to bear on two vertical door jambs 90, 92 such that the barrier10 may be engaged between the door jambs 90, 92 and spaced from a floor94. Such incremental pressure also internally pressurizes the barrier 10by pressurizing first partition 12 against second partition 14. Todisengage the barrier 10 from the door jambs 90, 92, the winged slidenut 76 is turned so as to loosen the winged slide nut 76 and permit theouter end member 40 of the second partition to slide back toward theouter end member 26 of first partition 12.

Winged slide nut 76 is a slide fit nut or a jam nut. Slide fit nuts andjam nuts can be segmented nuts that can be rapidly pushed on to threadedbolts quickly and easily with a simple push-on action in the axialdirection and can be rapidly removed from bolts, after loosening withseveral rotations, with a simple pull-off action in the axial direction.In other words, the slide fit nuts and jam nuts are nuts that can beinserted from the tip of the bolt by simply pressing it axially all theway to a determined fastening position without turning or spinning thenut. In removing the slide fit or jam nut from the bolt, the slide fitor jam nut may be turned several times or for several rotations and thensimply be pulled out axially without the need for turning it all of theway. The slide nut 76 can be slid axially along threaded rod 74 untilpressure is brought to bear on the washer 78 and end 82 of the tube 72,whereupon the slide nut 76 can be turned in the tightening direction,whereupon the slide nut 76 engages the thread of the threaded rod 74 andincrementally pressurizes the barrier 10. To loosen the fastened slidenut 76, the slide nut 76 is turned several times in the looseningdirection, whereupon the slide nut 76 disengages the thread of thethreaded rod 74, and whereupon the slide nut may be slid back axially inthe direction of spacer 80. As to slide fit nuts or jam nuts thefollowing U.S. patent are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties: 1) the Okada U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,393 issued Apr. 11, 1978and entitled Nut; 2) the Fullerton U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,187 issued Mar.29, 1983 and entitled Quick-Acting Nut Assembly; and 3) the Lubreski etal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,381 issued Aug. 18, 1992 and entitled Slide-FitNut.

First partition 12 includes upper and lower bumpers 20 engaged withouter end member 26 via pin connectors. Second partition 14 includesupper and lower bumpers 20 engaged with outer end member 40 via pinconnectors. Bumper 20 is resilient so as to internally absorb some ofthe pressure exerted by the mechanism 16. Bumper 20 may includeelastomeric or rubber or rubber like material or be wholly formed fromelastomeric or rubber or rubber like material. Bumper 20 is of asufficient length so as to extend further in the length direction thanany of the protruding outer ends 30, 32, 44, 46. Bumper 20 includes arecess formed axially therein for receiving the head of the pinconnector that mounts the bumper 20 to the outer end member 26 or 40such that the bumper 20, and not the pin connector, makes contact withthe door jambs 90, 92.

In operation, bather 10 can be removed from a shipping box or container.In this state, barrier 10 is in a fully closed configuration. In thisfully closed configuration, winged slide nut 76 confronts the proximalend 86 of the threaded rod 74 and the outer end member 26 of the firstpartition 12 confronts the inner end member 42 of the second partition14. Also, in this fully closed configuration, outer end member 40 ofsecond partition 14 confronts the inner end member 28 of the firstpartition 12. In this fully closed configuration, the end members aresequentially lined up or staggered as follows: outer end member 26 ofthe first partition 12, inner end member 42 of the second partition 14,inner end member 28 of the first partition 12, and outer end member 40of the second partition 14. This fully closed configuration is foundwith barriers 118 and 200 as well.

Then, if desired, barrier 10 can be converted to a fully open positionby hand sliding and thus quickly sliding the outer end member 40 of thesecond partition 14 away from the outer end member 26 of the firstpartition 12. In the fully open position, the inner edges of guides 64and 68 confront the inner edges of guides 66 and 70 such that the guides64, 66, 68 and 70 act as stops to prevent the disengagement of thepartitions 12, 14 from each other. To utilize the barrier 10 in thefully open position, the winged slide nut 76 is utilized to expand thebarrier 10 from a configuration just short of the fully open position tothe fully open position such that the bather 10 is pressurized in thefully open position. In the fully open position, inner end member 42 ofthe second partition 14 confronts the inner end member 28 of the firstpartition 12. In this fully open configuration, the end members aresequentially lined up or staggered as follows: outer end member 26 ofthe first partition 12, inner end member 28 of the first partition 12,inner end member 42 of the second partition 14, and outer end member 40of the second partition 14. This fully open configuration is found inbarriers 118 and 200 as well.

The barrier 10 can be utilized in any in-between configuration, that is,any configuration between the fully closed configuration and the fullyopen configuration. In moving to an in-between position, the partitions12 and 14 can be hand slid relative to each other. If the winged slidenut 76 stops such relative sliding, then the winged slide nut 76 is spunto be loosened and then or pushed axially toward the proximal end 86 ofthe threaded rod 74 to permit further contraction of the barrier 10. Itshould be noted that, unless engaged between two locations such as thedoor jambs 90, 92, the partitions 12, 14 can always be expanded relativeto each other because for expansion the only stops are the guides 64, 68making contact with the guides 66, 70. It should be noted that the twopartitions 12, 14 can always be contracted relative to each other if thewinged slide nut 76 has been loosened, and the partitions 12, 14 canthen be contracted up to where the winged slide nut 76 engages thespacer 80, because the winged slide nut 76 when loosened slides axiallyon the threaded rod 74. In other words, contraction of the barrier 10when the winged slide nut 76 is loosened is no different from expansionsuch that partitions 12, 14 can always be contracted relative to eachother because the only stop for contraction is the spacer 80 on theproximal end 86 of the threaded rod 74. An ultimate end position for thewinged slide nut 76 is where the winged slide nut 76 confronts thespacer 80 and here, where the open end 82 of the tube 72 confronts thewinged slide nut 76, there is no further contraction between the firstand second partitions 12, 14.

In the fully closed configuration, and in some of the in-betweenpositions, the rigid screens 52, 54 overlap or confront each other inthe transverse or width direction. In the fully open configuration andin some of the in-between configurations, the rigid screens 52, 54 arewholly offset from each other in the width direction such that noportion of the face of screen 52 confronts no portion of the face ofscreen 54.

When initially setting up barrier 10 between two locations such as thedoor jambs 90, 92, the partitions 12, 14 can be hand slid apart untilthe bumpers 20 of the end members 40 and 26 make contact with the doorjambs 90, 92. Then the winged slide nut 76 is slid axially along thethreaded rod 74 and then turned and tightened somewhat to bring pressureto bear on the washer 78, which in turn brings pressure to bear on theopen end 82 of the tube 72, which in turn expands the bather 10incrementally. At such a point, the barrier 10 can be slid vertically upthe door jambs 90, 92 to a desired height. Then the winged slide nut 76can be tightened even more until the desired pressure is reached. Itshould be noted that the middle step here can be eliminated because thetightening of the winged slide nut 76 is a one hand operation. In otherwords, the partitions 12, 14 can be slid apart to an approximatedistance of the distance between the door jambs 90, 92, then one handcan pick up the barrier 10 and place the barrier 10 at the desiredheight and, while this one hand is holding the barrier 10 at the desiredheight, the other hand can tighten the winged slide nut 76. To removethe barrier 10 from two locations such as from the door jambs 90, 92,the process is reversed, with the winged slide nut 76 being loosenedslightly at first and then permitting the barrier 10 to rest on thefloor 94, or with the winged slide nut 76 being loosened to a greaterdegree where one hand is holding the barrier 10 to prevent the barrier10 from falling and where the other hand loosens the winged slide nut76.

As indicated above, winged slide nut 76 is preferably a segmented nut,slide nut, slide fit nut, or jam nut. FIGS. 2C and 2D show another typeof slide nut or slide fit nut where a jawed nut 96 includes a pair ofjaws 98 and 100 that are hinged together via a pair of pin connectors102. Flat springs 104 are biased so as to normally urge finger portionsor opposing ends 106 of the jaws 98, 100 apart from each other and so asto normally urge threaded end portions or opposing ends 108 of jaws 98,100 toward each other and into engagement with threaded rod 74. Uponsqueezing or pinching the finger portions 106 together, threaded endportions 108 are drawn apart, thereby permitting jawed nut 96 to slideaxially and quickly along the threaded rod 74. Then, when end portions108 make contact with washer 78, the finger portions 106 can bereleased, whereupon the finger portions 106 can be manipulated withoutsqueezing to turn or rotate or spin the jawed nut 96 with the threads ofthe threaded rod 74 to bring pressure upon the open end 82 of the tube72 to incrementally slide the partitions 12, 14 apart and toincrementally bring pressure to bear upon the door jambs 90, 92 and tointernally pressurize the barrier 10. To release the pressure, the jawednut 96 is spun backwards until the pressure is safely released,whereupon the finger portions 106 can be squeezed to quickly draw thejawed nut 96 axially along the threaded rod 74.

FIG. 2E shows a conventional wing nut 110, which, if desired, may beused as an alternative to the winged slide nut 76. Wing nut 110 is in ablock form. Wing nut 110 is formed from one piece, not segmented orformed from multiple pieces like slide nuts are. With wing nut 110,which does not slide axially along threaded rod 74 but instead must bespun or turned along the entire length of threaded rod 74, it should benoted that contraction of the barrier 10 is halted when the open end 82of tube 72 hits the washer 78 which in turn hits the wing nut 110. Inthis manner, wing nut 110 acts as a stop to such contraction whereverthe wing nut 110 is located on the threaded rod 74. It should be notedthat, if desired, slide nut 76 can as well act as a stop by turningslide nut 76 in the tightening direction, whereupon slide nut 76 engagesthe thread of the threaded rod 74.

FIG. 3A shows a nut 112 having a threaded through opening 114 forengagement of threaded rod 74 or the threaded rod 116 of barrier 118.Nut 112 may be used as it is, without a release bore. Or nut 112 may beconverted, as described below, into a slide nut 113 shown in FIGS. 3B,3C, 3C, 3D and 3E by drilling a release bore 115 at an angle to the axisof the threaded through opening 114.

Each of nuts 112 and 113 includes a relatively large knob portion 120.The outer perimeter surface of the knob portion 120 is knurled orincludes cylindrical cut out portions 122, alternating with ridges 124.Portions 122 and ridges 124 run in the direction of the axis of thethreaded through opening 114.

Each of nuts 112 and 113 includes a pair of end faces 124, 126. End face124 is undulating and lies generally in a plane. End face 126 is flat,and is preferably flat and lies in a plane. End face 126 confronts andbrings pressure to bear upon a flat 128 or flat portion 128. Flat 128 orflat portion 128 is integral or welded to or one-piece with barrier 118.More specifically, flat 128 or flat portion 128 is integral or welded toor one-piece with medial tube 130 of one partition of barrier 118. Endface 124 and end face 126 are generally parallel to each other andnormal to the axis of threaded through opening 114. End face 124 isformed on the knob portion 120 of nuts 112, 113. End face 126 isdisposed on a generally cylindrical extension 132 extending co-axiallyfrom knob portion 120.

Nuts 112, 113 can be formed by injection molding. Nuts 112, 113 may bewholly plastic. Nuts 112, 113 may be plastic and include an aluminuminsert where the aluminum insert includes the threaded through opening114 and the release bore 115. Nuts 112, 113 may be formed of a nylon.

After being injection molded or formed in another manner, a first stepof forming threaded opening 114 of nut 112 can be to tap drill a throughopening with no threads. A second step can be to perform a full throughtap that makes the threads. At this point, nut 112 can be used as is.That is nut 112 can be used with threaded opening 114, with no releasebore 115, and with no cone shaped ends 138.

Nut 112 is advantageously used over winged nut 110. Nut 112 includes arelatively large knob portion 120 that is easy to turn. Nut 112 has alarger mass and thus can be turned more quickly and continue spinningover greater distances on its own, i.e., under inertia, when a directhand spinning force has been removed.

While nut 112 can be used as is, nut 112 can also be converted intoslide nut 113. After the second step of making the threads, the axis ofnut 112 can be tipped, such as at 12 degrees, whereupon a plunging endmill operation can be performed, without making threads, to form therelease bore 115 having a smooth cylindrical inner face within slide nut113. When slide nut 113 is sliding on threaded rod 74 or 116, the smoothcylindrical inner face of the release bore 115 confronts and rides onthe ridges or threads of the threaded rod 74 or 116 such that the slidenut 113 can slide quickly over short or long distances along thethreaded rod 74 or 116. The diameter of the release bore 115 ispreferably at or slightly greater than the diameter of the threaded rod74 or 116 where the diameter of the threaded rod 74 or 116 is measuredby the outer surface of the ridges or threads of the threaded rod 74 or116. The angle that the axis of nut 112 is tipped for the performance ofthe plunging end mill operation (or the angle between the threadedopening 114 and release bore 115) can be an angle between about 8 andabout 16 degrees, more preferably between about 10 and about 14 degrees,still more preferably between about 11 and about 13 degrees, and mostpreferably about 12 degrees.

The axis of the threaded through opening 114 intersects the axis of therelease bore 115 at one point. The inner space defined by threadedopening 114 intersects the inner space defined by release bore 115 overa range. The axis of the threaded through opening 114 and the axis ofthe release bore 115 are co-planar. The plunging mill operation for therelease bore 115 destroys a portion of the threads of the threadedopening 114 and leaves in place a portion of the threads of the threadedopening 114. The threaded portions that remain are indicated byreference numerals 134 in FIG. 3B. One threaded portion 134 confrontsend face 124. The other threaded portion 134 confronts end face 126. Thethreaded portions 134 are generally diametrically opposite of eachother, although one portion 134 confronts one end of the nut 113 and theother portion 134 confronts the other end of the nut 113. Threadedopening 114 exits each of the faces 124, 126. Release bore 115 exitseach of the faces 124, 126. The axis of the release bore 115 is obliquerelative to the axis of the nut 113 as a whole. The axis of the threadedthrough opening 114 is coaxial with the axis of the nut 113 as a whole.

As indicated above, the diameter of the release bore 115 is greater thanthe diameter of the threaded rod 74 or threaded rod 116 where thediameter of the threaded rod 74 or 116 is measured by the outermostsurface of the threads on the rod 74 or 116 such that the slide nut 113can slide along the rod 74 or 116 without engaging the threads of therod 74, 116. In other words, the diameter of the release bore 115 issufficiently great such that, when the rod 74 or 116 is turned so as tobe vertical, slide nut 113 can drop by gravity to the lowermost portionof the rod 74, 116.

When the end face 126 of slide nut 113 engages flat 128, end face 126may be oblique relative to flat 128. As the slide nut 113 is pushed orslid closer to flat 128 such end face 126 makes contact with flat 128,end face 126 and flat 128 will begin to draw parallel to each other. Asthe end face 126 and flat 128 begin to draw parallel to each other, theaxis of the threaded through opening 114 will begin to draw closer andcloser to a parallel and coaxial relationship with threaded rod 74 or116 whereupon the threads of the rod 74 or 116 will engage the threadsof the threaded opening 114, whereupon the nut 113 can be tightenedagainst the flat 128.

FIG. 5B shows another slide nut 136. Slide nut 136 is identical to slidenut 113, except that the release bore 115 can be widened at the outerends of bore 115. This widened opening is illustrated by referencenumber 138. This widened opening 138 is formed by oscillating the bit orplunging tool that forms release bore 115. In other words, when releasebore 115 is formed, the bit or other tool that forms bore 115 maintainstravel along one axis, and this axis becomes the axis of the releasebore 115. However, by oscillating or by skewing the drill bit or tooloff the release bore axis or by moving the drill bit in a cone shapedpattern, a cone shape or frustoconical cone shape is formed at each ofthe openings of release bore 115, i.e., at the opening on end face 124and at the opening on end face 126. This partial or frustoconical coneconfiguration includes its widest portion at the ends, i.e., end face124 or 126. This partial or frustoconical cone configuration includesits narrowest portion disposed medially of the two ends, i.e., betweenthe end faces 124, 126. In other words, slide nut 136 includes a releasebore 115 that includes a frustoconical shaped bore end 138 confrontingend face 124 and a frustoconical shaped bore end 138 confronting endface 126. With the cone shaped openings or ends 138, slide nut 138slides relatively more easily than slide nut 113.

By forming frustoconical shaped openings 138, threads of the threadedopening 114 are preserved for a tighter engagement with flat 128 and, atthe same time, nut 136 slides more easily. In contrast, to obtain a nut113 that slides as easily under gravity as nut 136, nut 113 wouldrequire a release bore 115 of greater diameter, in which case a greaternumber of threads are destroyed, leading to a looser engagement withflat 128.

It should be noted that an important feature of the adjusting andpressurizing mechanism 16 is the slide nut 113 or 136 itself. Anotherimportant feature of the adjusting and pressurizing mechanism 16 is theflat 128. It should be noted here that one feature here is on partition140. The other feature is on partition 142. Slide nut 113 includes athreaded opening 114 and a release bore 115. Slide nut 136 includes athreaded opening 114, release bore 115, and frustoconical openings 138.Each of nuts 113 and 136 includes an end face 126 having a continuoussmooth circular band 182, as shown in FIG. 3C, running immediatelybeyond release bore 115 and running about each of release bore 115 andthreaded opening 114. One band 182 contains both bore 115 and opening114. It is preferred that the diameter of flat 128 be at least as greatas the outer diameter of band 182. The diameter of the flat 128 or flatdisk 128 is limited by the thickness of partition 142 and cannot be sogreat so as to prevent relative sliding of the partitions 140, 142. Itshould be noted that the outer face of flat 128 is flat and smooth, andthis outer face is the portion of flat 128 that makes contact with band182. Flat 128 is a disk. It should be noted that the outer diameter ofband 182 can be less than the diameter of end face 126 such that thediameter of flat 128 can be less than the diameter of end face 126.However, it is preferred that the diameter of flat 128 is generally thesame as the diameter of end face 126.

As shown in FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of the present quicklyslideable and incrementally adjustable barrier is indicated by referencenumeral 118. The barrier 118 generally includes a first partition 140, asecond partition 142, an adjusting and pressurizing mechanism 16, guides144 running to and between the first and second partitions 140, 142 andbumpers 20 on an outer end of each of the partitions 140, 142.

As shown in FIG. 4, first partition 140 includes an upper member 146, alower member 148, an outer end member 150, and an inner end member 152.Members 146, 148, 150 and 152 are preferably steel and tubular. Members146, 148 run parallel to each other and preferably run horizontally whenthe barrier 118 is in use. Members 150, 152 run parallel to each otherand preferably run vertically when the barrier 118 is in use. Members146, 148 are preferably disposed at right angles to members 150, 152 andthe junctions of such members 146, 148, 150, 152 are curved. End members150, 152 run to and between upper and lower members 146, 148. Members146, 148, 150, 152 make up a peripheral frame 153 for partition 142.

Second partition 142 includes an upper member 154, a lower member 156,an outer end member 158, and an inner end member 160. Members 154, 156,158, 160 are preferably steel and tubular. Members 154, 156 run parallelto each other and preferably run horizontally when the barrier 118 is inuse. Members 158, 160 run parallel to each other and preferably runvertically when the barrier 118 is in use. Members 154, 156 arepreferably disposed at right angles to members 158, 160 and thejunctions of such members 154, 156, 158, 160 are curved. End members158, 160 run to and between upper and lower members 154, 156. Members154, 156, 158, 160 make up a peripheral frame 162 for partition 142.

A direction between the outer and inner end members of the respectivepartitions 140, 142 is a length direction. A direction between the upperand lower members of the respective partitions 140, 142 is a heightdirection. A direction between the partitions 140, 142 themselves is awidth direction and the partitions 140, 142 are spaced apart in thewidth direction. The upper and lower members of the partitions 140, 142extend in the length direction. The outer and inner end members of thepartitions 140, 142 extend in the height direction.

FIG. 5A shows a preferred way to make peripheral frame 162 (orperipheral frame 153). Here a top tube piece 164 integrally containsone-half of outer end member 158 and one-half of inner end member 160.This top tube piece 164 having one-half of each of the members 158, 160is originally straight. Then top tube piece 164 is bent at junctures 166to form one-half of member 158 and one-half of member 160. Also, abottom tube piece 168 integrally contains one-half of outer end member158 and one-half of inner end member 160. This bottom tube piece 168having one-half of each of the members 158, 160 is originally straight.Then bottom tube piece 168 is bent at junctures 168 to form one-half ofmember 158 and one-half of member 160. Then the outer ends 170 of tubepieces 164, 168 are welded to end 172 of medial tube 130, and inner ends174 of tube pieces 164, 168 are welded to inner end portion 176 ofmedial tube 130 so as to form the peripheral frame 162. Peripheral frame153 is made the same way except that peripheral frame 153 and partition140 includes, instead of medial tube 130, a threaded rod 116 mounted viaa spacer 80 welded at the ends 174 of frame 153.

Prior to ends 170 being joined such as by welding and prior to ends 174being joined such as by welding, each of the partitions 140, 142 isprovided with a set of vertical tubes or rods 178 that are engaged inopenings 180. Each of upper members 146 and 154 includes a set ofopenings 180 where the openings 180 are formed in a lower face ofmembers 146, 154. Each of lower members 148, 156 includes a set ofopenings 180 where the openings 180 are formed in an upper face ofmembers 148, 156. Openings 180 are precision formed such as by lasercutting such that no welding is needed when the tubes 178 are set in theopenings 180. After the tubes 178 are set in the openings 180, ends 170,172 are joined and ends 174 are joined to portion 176 to form partition142. Partition 140 is formed in a like manner except that spacer 80 isjoined to ends 174. After the partitions 140, 142 are formed, slide nut113 or slide 136 is inserted onto the distal free end of threaded rod116, and then the distal free end of threaded rod 116 is inserted intomedial tube 130. Then guides 144 are set in place so as to form barrier118. Barrier 118 preferably includes slide nut 113 of FIGS. 3B, 3C, 3Dand 3E or slide nut 136 of FIG. 7.

Medial tube 30 can be welded, if desired, to one or more or each ofvertical tubes 178. Tubes 178 are spaced apart horizontally from eachother or in the length direction. A distance between adjacent tubes 178is preferably sufficiently small such that the head of a crawling infantcannot be inserted between two adjacent tubes 178. A distance betweenadjacent tubes 178 is preferably sufficiently large such that thebarrier 118 as a whole is relatively lightweight.

Guides 144 are generally U-shaped guides and, if desired, can includegenerally flat cradle portions to space partitions 140, 142 from eachother. One of the upper guides is fixed to partition 140 and permitspartition 142 to slide freely. The other of the upper guides is fixed topartition 142 and permits partition 140 to slide freely. One of thelower guides is fixed to partition 140 and permits partition 142 toslide freely. The other of the lower guides is fixed to partition 142and permits partition 140 to slide freely.

In operation, bather 118 can be removed from a shipping box orcontainer. In this state, barrier 118 is in a fully closedconfiguration. In this fully closed configuration, slide nut 136confronts spacer 80 and the proximal end of the threaded rod 116 becausea large portion of the threaded rod 116 is contained in medial tube 130.In this fully closed configuration, the outer end member 150 of thefirst partition 140 confronts the inner end member 160 of the secondpartition 142. Also, in this fully closed configuration, outer endmember 158 of second partition 142 confronts the inner end member 152 ofthe first partition 140. In this fully closed configuration, the endmembers are sequentially lined up or staggered as follows: outer endmember 150 of the first partition 140, inner end member 160 of thesecond partition 142, inner end member 152 of the first partition 140,and outer end member 158 of the second partition 142. Such a fullyclosed configuration is found with barriers 10 and 200 as well.

Then, if desired, barrier 118 can be converted to a fully open positionby hand sliding and thus quickly sliding the outer end member 158 of thesecond partition 142 away from the outer end member 150 of the firstpartition 140. In the fully open position, the inner edges of the upperguides 144 confront each other and the inner edges of the lower guides144 confront each other such that the guides 144 act as stops to preventthe disengagement of the partitions 140, 142 from each other. To utilizethe barrier 118 in the fully open position, the slide nut 136 isutilized to expand the bather 118 from a configuration just short of thefully open position to the fully open position such that the barrier 118is pressurized in the fully open position. In the fully open position,inner end member 160 of the second partition 142 confronts the inner endmember 152 of the first partition 140. In this fully open configuration,the end members are sequentially lined up or staggered as follows: outerend member 150 of the first partition 140, inner end member 152 of thefirst partition 140, inner end member 160 of the second partition 142,and outer end member 158 of the second partition 142. This fully openconfiguration is found with bathers 10 and 200 as well.

The barrier 118 can be utilized in any of the in-between configurations,that is, any configuration between the fully closed configuration andthe fully open configuration. In moving to an in-between position, thepartitions 140 and 142 can be hand slid relative to each other. If theslide nut 136 stops such relative sliding, then the slide nut 136 isspun to be loosened and or pushed axially toward the proximal end of thethreaded rod 116 to permit further contraction of the barrier 10. Itshould be noted that, unless engaged between two locations such as thedoor jambs 90, 92, the partitions 140, 142 can always be expandedrelative to each other because for expansion the only stops are theguides 144 making contact with each other. It should be noted that thetwo partitions 140, 142 can always be contracted relative to each otherif the slide nut 136 has been loosened, and the partitions 140, 142 canthen be contracted up to where the slide nut 136 engages the spacer 80,because the slide nut 136 when loosened slides axially on the threadedrod 116. In other words, contraction of the barrier 118 when the slidenut 136 is loosened is no different from expansion such that partitions140, 142 can always be contracted relative to each other because theonly stop for contraction is the spacer 80 on the proximal end 86 of thethreaded rod 74. An ultimate end position for the slide nut 136 is wherethe slide nut 136 confronts the spacer 80 and here, where the open endof the tube 130 confronts the slide nut 136, there is no furthercontraction between the first and second partitions 140, 142.

In the fully closed configuration, in the fully open configuration, andin the in-between positions, the partitions 140, 142 overlap or confronteach other in the transverse or width direction.

When initially setting up barrier 118 between two locations such as thedoor jambs 90, 92, the partitions 140, 142 can be hand slid apartquickly over short or long distances until the bumpers 20 of the endmembers 150, 158 make contact with the door jambs 90, 92. Then the slidenut 136 of partition 140 is slid axially quickly over short or longdistances along the threaded rod 116 of partition 140 until the slidenut 136 makes contact with the flat 128 of partition 142. Then the slidenut 136 is turned and tightened somewhat to bring pressure to bear onthe flat 128, which in turn expands the barrier 118 incrementally. Atsuch a point, the barrier 118 can be slid vertically up the door jambs90, 92 to a desired height. Then the slide nut 136 can be tightened evenmore until the desired pressure is reached. It should be noted that themiddle step here can be eliminated because the tightening of the slidenut 136 is a one hand operation. In other words, the partitions 140, 142can be slid apart to an approximate distance of the distance between thedoor jambs 90, 92, then one hand can pick up the barrier 118 and placethe barrier 118 at the desired height and, while this one hand isholding the barrier 118 at the desired height, the other hand cantighten the slide nut 136. To remove the barrier 118 from two locationssuch as from the door jambs 90, 92, the process is reversed, with theslide nut 136 being loosened slightly at first and then permitting thebarrier 118 to rest on the floor 94, or with the slide nut 136 beingloosened to a greater degree where one hand is holding the barrier 118to prevent the barrier 118 from falling and where the other hand loosensthe slide nut 136.

Barriers 10 and 118 can be referred to as adjustable gates. One uniquefeature of these gates is the quick acting nut or slide nut 113, 136 onthe threaded rod 74 or 116 to achieve superior holding force for thegate in door jambs and between vertical surfaces. The quick acting nutis a one piece component that 1) will slide when held at an angle toquickly provide for large adjustments, and, subsequently, 2) will, viathreads, automatically align and clamp quickly on the threaded rod toallow the user to make the gate very secure, and, lastly, 3) will fullydisengage, when the gate must be moved, in about three, four or fiverevolutions so the panels or partitions can be quickly collapsed andremoved from the opening. One of the keys for this design to work is theflat surface or disk 128 that is welded to the end of the horizontaltube 130 that the quick nut engages. This may be described as a methodinvolving a threaded rod, a flat torque and a pressure accepting surfacemated to the quick nut.

It should be noted that the quick nut present invention mechanismreplaces numerous multiple component systems such as wooden gates whichhave a lever system and such as plastic gates which have a rack andpinion mechanism. Neither of these prior art gates can achieve optimumor maximum clamping force in an opening. These mechanisms are also morecomplex than the present invention, which includes simple mechanics andfavorable physics.

As shown in FIG. 6A, an alternate embodiment of the present quicklyslideable and incrementally adjustable barrier is indicated by referencenumeral 200. The barrier 200 includes an alternate adjusting andpressurizing mechanism 202, a first partition 204, a second partition206, guides 208A, 208B, 208C and 208D running to and between the firstand second partitions 204, 206, and bumpers 210 on an outer end of eachof the partitions 204, 206.

As shown in FIG. 6A, first partition 204 includes an upper member 212, alower member 214, an outer end member 216, and an inner end member 218.Members 212, 214, 216 and 218 are preferably steel and tubular. Members212, 214 run parallel to each other and preferably run horizontally whenthe barrier 200 is in use. Members 216, 218 run parallel to each otherand preferably run vertically when the barrier 200 is in use. Members212, 214 are preferably disposed at right angles to members 216, 218.The junctions of members 212, 216, 214 are curved. The junctions ofmembers 212, 218, 214 are at right angles. End members 216, 218 run toand between upper and lower members 212, 214. Members 212, 214, 216, and218 make up a peripheral frame 222 for partition 204. Interior supportmembers 220 (eight in number) extend vertically to and between upper andlower members 212, 214. Two of the interior support members 220 areshown in FIG. 6A. Six of the interior support members 220 are hiddenbehind (or flush with) the interior support members of second partition206. Members 212, 214, 216, 218 and 220 make up a frame for firstpartition 204.

As shown in FIG. 6A, second partition 206 includes an upper member 312,a lower member 314, an outer end member 316, and an inner end member318. Members 312, 314, 316 and 318 are preferably steel and tubular.Members 312, 314 run parallel to each other and preferably runhorizontally when the barrier 200 is in use. Members 316, 318 runparallel to each other and preferably run vertically when the barrier200 is in use. Members 312, 314 are preferably disposed at right anglesto members 316, 318. The junctions of members 312, 316, 314 are curved.The junctions of members 312, 318, 314 are at right angles. End members316, 318 run to and between upper and lower members 312, 314. Members312, 314, 316, and 318 make up a peripheral frame 322 for partition 206.Interior support members 320 (eight in number) extend vertically to andbetween upper and lower members 312, 314. All eight of the interiorsupport members 320 are shown in FIG. 6A. Six of the interior supportmembers 320 are shown to be flush with the interior support members 220of first partition 204. Members 312, 314, 316, 318 and 320 make up aframe for second partition 206.

A direction between the outer and inner end members of the respectivepartitions 204, 206 is a length direction. A direction between the upperand lower members of the respective partitions 204, 206 is a heightdirection. A direction between the partitions 204, 206 themselves is awidth direction and the partitions 204, 206 are spaced apart in thewidth direction. The upper and lower members of the partitions 204, 206extend in the length direction. The outer and inner end members of thepartitions 204, 206 extend in the height direction.

It should be noted that partitions 204 and 206 are structurallyidentical. Such is an advantage in manufacturing and assembly. Such alsoleads to a lower retail price for the consumer.

Each of the guides 208A, 208B, 208C and 208D is a U-shaped piece. Guides208A, 208B, 208C, and 208D are identical in structure and function toguides 64, 66, 68, 70, and 144. Guide 208A is fixed, such as by welding,to upper member 212 and extends transversely to slidingly cradle uppermember 312 therein. Guide 208B is fixed, such as by welding, to uppermember 312 and extends transversely to slidingly cradle upper member 212therein. Guide 208C is fixed, such as by welding, to lower member 214and extends transversely to slidingly cradle lower member 314 therein.Guide 208D is fixed, such as by welding, to lower member 314 and extendstransversely to slidingly cradle lower member 214 therein.

A pair of bumpers 210, identical in structure and function to bumpers20, are fixed to outer end member 216 with a pin connector and a pair ofbumpers 210 are fixed to outer end member 316 with a pin connector.Bumpers 210 are formed of a resilient material. Bumpers 210 on endmember 216 are set at the same height as bumpers 210 on end member 316.The upper bumpers 210 are spaced from their respective upper members212, 312. The lower bumpers 210 are spaced from their respective lowermembers 214, 314.

Interior support members 220 and 320, within their respective partitions204, 206, are evenly spaced apart and the even spacing is continued tothe respective end members 216, 218 and 316, 318. Such spacing ispreferably sufficiently small such that the head of a crawling infantcannot be inserted into such spacing. Such spacing is preferablysufficiently large such that the barrier 200 as a whole is relativelylightweight.

Interior support members 220 and 320 are preferably tubes. Members 212,214, 216, 218, 312, 314, 316 and 318 are preferably tubes with acircular cross section. Upper members 212, 312, lower members 214, 314,outer end members 216, 316, and inner end members 218, 318, are portionsthat make up the peripheral frames 222, 322 of the respective partitions204, 206 and are preferably square in section, with the exception of therounded or curved junctures between 1) outer end member 216 and itsupper and lower members 212, 214 and 2) outer end member 316 and itsupper and lower members 312, 314.

It should be noted that each of members 212, 214 extends horizontallybeyond the inner end member 218 and this portion that extends beyondinner end member 218 mounts the respective upper guide 208A and lowerguide 208C. Likewise, each of members 312, 314 extends horizontallybeyond the inner end member 318 and this portion that extends beyondinner end member 318 mounts the respective upper guide 208B and lowerguide 208D.

Upper and lower members 212, 214 and outer end member 216 form generallythe shape of a U. Upper and lower members 312, 314 and outer member 316form generally the shape of a U such that each of peripheral frames 222,322 is generally U-shaped. When partitions 204, 206 are combined, theU-shaped end members or outer end members 216, 316 are opposite of eachother and these are the ends that confront door jambs 90, 92.

Partitions 204, 206 can be slid apart until guide or stop 208A makescontact with guide or stop 208B and/or until guide or stop 208C makescontact with guide or stop 208D. At this point, in sequence, runningfrom one end of the bather 200 to the other end of the barrier 200,there is the outer end member 316, then the inner end member 318, thenthe inner end member 218, and then the outer end member 216. In thisposition, the face of partition 204, as defined by the outer and innermembers 216 and 218 and interior members 220, is wholly offset from theface of partition 206, as defined by the outer and inner members 316,318 and interior members 320.

Partitions 204, 206 can be slid together until tube end 404 makescontact with the innermost portion of the adjusting and pressurizingmechanism 202, namely the washer 434 which then is forced into makingcontact with the distal end of the threaded wheel 430. In this position,when the slide 416 has been fully slid to the proximal end of tube 408such that the slide 416 confronts spacer 412 and outer end member 216,the faces of the partitions 204, 206 substantially overlap. In thisposition, the faces of the partitions 204, 206 overlap except for adistance extending inwardly from outer end member 216 and except for adistance extending inwardly from outer end member 316. Each of suchdistances is about equal to the length of the slide 416.

Second partition 206 includes a horizontally extending tube 400. Tube400 is fixed to and between outer end member 316 and inner end member318. Tube 400 is spaced from interior support members 320 of partition206. Tube 400 includes an end 402 that is a closed end by virtue of aplastic insert placed therein. Tube 400 includes an open end 404. Ends402, 404 are fixed to outer end member 316 and inner end member 318 viafeet 406 welded thereto that are in turn fixed to end members 316, 318via pin connectors. Tube 400 is disposed parallel to upper and lowermembers 312, 314. Tube 400 is intermediate the upper and lower members312, 314. Tube 400 is set slightly closer to upper member 312 than it isfrom lower member 314. Tube 400 is square in cross section.

First partition 204 includes a horizontally extending tube 408 that isreceived by horizontally extending tube 400. Tube 408 includes aproximal end 410 that is fixed by a pin connector to outer end member216. This proximal end 410 is an open end that is closed off by aplastic insert set therein. A spacer 412 is set between tube end 410 andouter end member 216 such that tube 408 is coaxial with tube 400 and iseasily slideable back and forth in tube 400 with minimal friction. Thelength of tube 408 equals the length of any of the upper members 212,312 or lower members 214, 314 such that a distal end of tube 408 remainsin tube 400 when the partitions 204, 206 have been fully slid apart,which occurs when guide or stop 208A meets guide or stop 208B and/orwhen guide or stop 208C meets guide or stop 208D. Tube 408 is disposedparallel to upper and lower members 212, 214. Tube 408 is intermediatethe upper and lower members 212, 214. Tube 408 is set slightly closer toupper member 212 than it is from lower member 214. Tube 408 is square incross section and includes a lesser height and width than does tube 400such that tube 408 slides in tube 400. Tube 408 includes in its topsection a plurality of holes 414 that can also be referred to as anindex 414 or a set of predefined spaced apart locations 414.

First partition 204 further includes a slide 416 that slides on the tube408. Slide 416 includes a tubular sliding base 418. Sliding base 418 isintegral and formed of a one-piece molded plastic. An interior of thesliding base 418 includes an opening square in section that extends thelength of the sliding base 418 and that is coaxial with the tube 408 andtube 400. This opening in the sliding base 418 is sufficiently largesuch that base 418 slides readily on tube 408 and is sufficiently smallsuch that base 418 does not rotate on tube 408. Base 418 includes afirst cubed portion 420 that is in the form of a box or cube having sixsides, with two of such sides being open to permit sliding on tube 408.First cubed portion 420 includes a vertically extending track 421.Vertically extending track 421 is formed on first and second opposingsides of the first cubed portion 420. A hole 425 is formed in the uppersection of the first portion 420. Base 418 includes a second threadedportion 422 having exterior threads 424.

Slide 416 further includes a lift/drop button 426 that is formed in theshape of an inverted U. Button 426 is a plastic piece having a pair ofsides and a top section extending between the pair of sides. A tab 427extends inwardly from each of the inner side faces of each of the sidesof the button 426 so as to engage and ride in tracks 421. The proximalend of a vertically extending pin connector 428 is engaged to the topsection of the button 426 and the pin connector 428 extends downwardlytherefrom. A distal end of the pin connector 428 engages one of theholes 414. When the distal end of the pin connector 428 is engaged inone of the holes 414, slide 416 is prevented from sliding on tube 408.Button 426 is pulled up or lifted up by the thumb and first finger. Whenbutton 426 is dropped and falls under the influence of gravity, button426 rides in tracks 421 to maximize the chances that the distal end ofthe pin connector 428 makes contact with a middle portion of the topsection of tube 408, so as to maximize the chances that the distal endof the pin connector 428 engages one of the holes 414. Button 426 canalso be pushed down with a finger. Button 426 is biased in the downwarddirection under the influence of gravity. Pin connector 428 includes ahead that is exposed to the user and that is visible to the user so asto provide an association between the pin connector 428 and the holes414, both of which are visible to the user. A transitional wall 429 isformed between the first cubed portion 420 and the second threadedportion 422. This transitional wall 429, like tracks 421, is a guide formaximizing a straight lift up and a straight drop down of button 426,with minimum wobble, so as to maximize the chances of the distal end ofthe pin connector 428 engaging a hole 414. Pin connector 428 is rigidlyfixed in button 426.

Slide 416 further includes an elongate wheel 430. A portion of the innersurface of the elongate wheel 430 is threaded and engages the threads424 of second threaded portion 422. Another portion of the inner surfaceof elongate wheel 430, instead of being threaded, is a flat annular orcylindrical inner surface. Providing threads on only a portion of theinner surface of elongate wheel 430 provides for lesser friction and aneasier spinning of wheel 430. Providing a greater length to, ormaximizing the length of, the elongate wheel 430 maximizes a grippingsurface with which the user may interact. To further aid in spinning orturning the wheel 430, elongate horizontally extending ridges 432 areformed integrally and one-piece with the wheel 430. When wheel 430 isturned, wheel 430 incrementally travels to or from the first cubedportion 420 and to or from the tube open end 404 of tube 400.

Slide 416 further includes a washer 434 for being disposed between thewheel 430 and the tube end 404. Washer 434 includes an opening square insection so as to ride on and slide on tube 408 without rotating on tube408. Washer 434 includes a relatively small annular portion 436 havingan outside diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of thedistal end of the wheel 430. Washer 434 includes a relatively largeannular portion 438 that includes a proximal face for confronting therelatively large distal end of wheel 430 and a distal face forconfronting the relatively small tube open end 404 of tube 400. Washer434 minimizes an overtightening of wheel 430 and maximizes a looseningof wheel 430 when the wheel 430 has been tightened to a high degree.

It should be noted that FIG. 7C shows the threaded wheel 430 with ashort distance to travel until it engages the proximal face ofrelatively large annular portion 438 of washer 434, whereupon the distalface of relatively large annular portion 438 of washer 434 will bringpressure to bear upon tube end 404 of tube 400, whereupon relativelysmall annular portion 436 is fully received within the threaded wheel430.

In operation, the barrier 200 is placed in the passageway that the useris attempting to close, such as between door jambs 90, 92. Then, with ahand on each side of the bather 200, such as a hand on each of the uppermembers 212, 312 of the partitions 204, 206, the user pulls thepartitions 204, 206 away from each other such that the partitions 204,206 slide away from each other. The user is not instructed to place hisor her hands on the interior support members 220, 320 since the interiorsupport members 220 of the first partition 204 will cross or slide bythe interior support members 320 of the second partition 206 in oppositedirections such that the user may pinch his or her fingers. Once thebumpers 20 are touching the door jambs 90, 92, the lift up/drop downbutton 426 is lifted to disengage the distal end of the pin connector428 from one of the holes 414. Then the slide 416 is slid in thedirection of the second partition 206 until the distal end of the wheel430 engages the washer 434 and the washer 434 engages the open end 404of the tube 400 of the second partition 206. Then the user drops thebutton 426 or uses slight pressure to push the button 426 downwardly,whereupon the distal end of pin connector 428 may engage one of theholes 414. Then, if the pin connector 428 does not engage one of theholes 414, the user slides the slide 416 away from the open end 404 oftube 400, with the distal end of the pin connector 428 riding on theupper surface of tube 408, until the distal end of the pin connector 428drops into the first hole 414 that it confronts. At this point in timethe slide 416 is fixed on the tube 408 and is thereby fixed on the firstpartition 204. Then the wheel 430 is turned such that the wheel 430travels away from the first cubed portion 420 and away from the pinconnector 428 and towards the open end 404 of the tube 400 of the secondpartition, whereupon the distal end of the wheel 430 brings pressure tobear upon the washer 434, which in turn brings pressure to bear upon theopen end 404 of tube 400, such that first partition 204 is bringingpressure to bear upon second partition 206 in an expanding fashion, suchthat bather 200 becomes rigidly fixed between the door jambs 90, 92. Torelease the barrier 200 from the door jambs 90, 92, the wheel 430 isturned in the opposite direction, and this release is sufficient toremove the barrier 200 from the door jambs 90, 92.

It should be noted that holes 414 are spaced apart in the lengthdirection and that wheel 430 travels in the length direction to amaximum distance of between three and four holes 414. In use, wheel 430may travel over a length equal to less than the distance between twoholes, whereupon partitions 204, 206 expand sufficiently to a holdingposition between door jambs 90, 92. A range of travel for the wheel 430may therefore be described as being between about one millimeter andabout two inches or as being between about one millimeter and about fourpredefined locations or holes 414.

It should be noted that with slide 416, the user enjoys the benefitof 1) a barrier 200 that may expand to fit a relatively large opening ora relatively small opening, 2) a fast set up because the slide 416slides quickly along the elongate tube 408 until the pin connector 428is located in one of the predefined holes 414, and 3) an incremental andcustom fit to a unique passageway by virtue of the threaded wheel 430that tightens the partitions 204, 206 after the pin connector 428 hasbeen engaged.

It should be noted that the adjusting and pressurizing mechanism 202includes the tube 400, the tube 402, the slide 416, the sliding base418, the first and second portions 420, 422 of the sliding base 418, thethreaded wheel 430, and the washer 434.

It should be noted that first partition 204 can be defined so as toinclude the tube 408, the slide 416, the sliding base 418, the first andsecond portions 420, 422 of the sliding base 418, the threaded wheel430, and the washer 434. The second partition 206 can be defined so asto include the tube 400.

Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or generalcharacteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, theembodiments described herein are to be considered in all respectsillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to beindicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

We claim:
 1. A sliding, expanding incrementally adjustable barrier for placement between two opposing locations, comprising: a) a first slidable partition comprising a first frame, with the first slidable partition extending in length and height directions; b) a second slidable partition comprising a second frame, with the second slidable partition extending in the length and height directions; c) wherein the first and second slidable partitions are engaged to and spaced apart from each other in a width direction, wherein said frames of said first and second slidable partitions lie parallel to each other and slide parallel to each other; d) first and second members engaged between the first and second slidable partitions; e) the first and second slidable partitions being adjustable in the length direction relative to each other by one of the first and second members having a pin and by the other of the first and second members having openings formed therein for receiving the pin, the openings being spaced apart in the length direction; f) the first and second slidable partitions being further adjustable in the length direction relative to each other by incrementally increasing a length of the first member such that the first and second slidable partitions slide apart such that the barrier becomes fixed between the two opposing locations; g) wherein each of said first and second members is tubular; h) the height direction of the first slidable partition being a vertical height direction; i) the height direction of the second slidable partition being the vertical height direction; j) wherein said pin has a longitudinally extending vertical axis and gravity urges said pin into one of said openings; k) wherein the first member includes a threaded member and wherein the length of the first member is incrementally increased by turning the threaded member; and l) wherein a housing for said pin has a generally square perimeter that matches a perimeter of said second member and that is nonrotatable when said pin is in one of said openings.
 2. A sliding, expanding incrementally adjustable barrier for placement between two opposing locations, comprising: a) a first slidable partition comprising a first frame, with the first slidable partition extending in length and height directions; b) a second slidable partition comprising a second frame, with the second slidable partition extending in the length and height directions; c) wherein the first and second slidable partitions are engaged to and spaced apart from each other in a width direction, wherein said frames of said first and second slidable partitions lie parallel to each other and slide parallel to each other; d) first and second members engaged between the first and second slidable partitions, each of the first and second members having an end; e) the first and second members being adjustable in the length direction relative to each other by one of the first and second members having a pin and by the other of the first and second members having openings formed therein for receiving the pin, the openings being spaced apart in the length direction; f) the end of the first member and the end of the second member being adjustable in the length direction relative to each other by incrementally increasing a length of the first member such that the first and second slidable partitions slide apart such that the barrier becomes fixed between the two opposing locations; g) wherein each of said first and second members is tubular; h) the height direction of the first slidable partition being a vertical height direction; i) the height direction of the second slidable partition being the vertical height direction; j) wherein said pin has a longitudinally extending vertical axis and gravity urges said pin into one of said openings; k) wherein the first member includes a threaded member and wherein the length of the first member is incrementally increased by turning the threaded member; and l) wherein a housing for said pin has a generally square and that matches a perimeter of said second member and that is nonrotatable when said pin is in one of said openings.
 3. A sliding, expanding incrementally adjustable barrier for placement between two opposing locations, comprising: a) a first slidable partition comprising a first frame, with the first slidable partition extending in length and height directions; b) a second slidable partition comprising a second frame, with the second slidable partition extending in the length and height directions; c) wherein the first and second slidable partitions are engaged to and spaced apart from each other in a width direction, wherein said frames of said first and second slidable partitions lie parallel to each other and slide parallel to each other; d) first and second members engaged between the first and second slidable partitions, each of the first and second members having an end; e) the first and second members being adjustable in the length direction relative to each other by one of the first and second members having a pin and by the other of the first and second members having spaced apart locations for connection to the pin, the spaced apart locations being spaced apart in the length direction; f) the end of the first member and the end of the second member being adjustable in the length direction relative to each other by incrementally increasing a length of the first member such that the first and second slidable partitions slide apart such that the barrier becomes fixed between the two opposing locations; g) wherein each of said first and second members is tubular; h) the height direction of the first slidable partition being a vertical height direction; i) the height direction of the second slidable partition being the vertical height direction; j) wherein said pin has a longitudinally extending vertical axis and gravity urges said pin into one of said spaced apart locations; k) wherein the first member includes a threaded member and wherein the length of the first member is incrementally increased by turning the threaded member; and l) wherein a housing for said pin has a generally square perimeter that matches a perimeter of said second member and that is nonrotatable when said pin is in one of said spaced apart locations. 